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East Coast Wings & Grill CEO Talks Expansion

Sam Ballas discusses his five-year plan for growing the casual-dining chain and competing with Applebee’s and Chili’s

Major expansion plans are in the works for East Coast Wings & Grill, according to Sam Ballas, chief executive of the Winston-Salem, N.C.-based chain.

Ballas said he hopes to grow the casual-dining chain by 12 to 15 units — all of them in the Southeast — each year for the next five years. By the end of 2012, the chain will expand outside of North Carolina for the first time, opening locations in Charleston, S.C., and in the San Antonio area.

The chain currently has 22 locations, with six under construction and slated to open later this year and 12 restaurant openings planned for 2013.